Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 17 h 49 min4:28 am – 10:17 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 47 min8:55 am – 3:42 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People4,985 residentsin the Lochaber East and North census areaMedian age 51.12,349 households70% of homes owner-occupied44% owned outright18% social rented, 8% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting2.2% unemployment rate61% of adults are economically active, 2,564 in work, 28% retiredMain industries: hospitality 21%, health and social work 12%, construction 8%Getting to work: 37% work from home, 52% go by car, 2% take public transport, 8% walk or cycle32% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages35% of adults hold a degree or higher16% have no qualifications, 8% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 97%, other languages 3%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 17°C, lows 10°CColdest month December: highs 6°C, lows 1°C2,385 mm of rain a year, 86 days with 10 mm or morewettest month January49 days of air frost, 3 summer days above 25°C in a typical yearSource: Met Office HadUK-Grid 1991-2020 averages, 2 km grid (highs and lows from the 12 km grid)
Earthquakes186 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 197043 of magnitude 3+, 4 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 4.0 on 4 Aug 201726 mi away, Moidart, HighlandMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 28 Jul 202617 mi away, Spean Bridge, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.2 · PM2.5 3.1 · PM10 4.8 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband40% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband86% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)4.6% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,700 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation14 m46 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from -1 to 248 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesGP surgeryBallachulish Medical Practice4.0 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
Getting aroundAirportOban Airport OBN18 miMajor airportGlasgow Airport GLA65 miRailway stationFort William9.3 miBus stationFort William Bus Station9.3 miFerryNether Lochaber Ferry TerminalCorran Ferry1.4 miBus stops5 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the PH33 postcode district.
